OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Dec. 23, 2022) – It has been a tough Friday on area roads for all involved, but as for the first few hours of a winter storm with blizzard conditions along the Lakeshore, while there have been many collisions and spin outs, no serious injuries or fatalities were reported.
In a statement released at 9 PM on Friday, Sheriff’s Captain Jake Sparks said, “The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office is still responding to emergency call for service. However, due to the current blizzard conditions, some roads throughout Ottawa County are impassable. Roads are drifted over, visibility is low, and temperatures are freezing. At this time, it is unsafe to drive.
“The Sheriff’s Office strongly urges the public to stay home and not drive unless it is an emergency. If you become stranded, or if your vehicle becomes disabled, there is a strong likelihood that wrecker services won’t be able to respond, and Sheriff’s Deputies may have difficulty getting to you. Being stranded in these conditions can be life-threatening.
“Please stay off the roadways unless you have an emergency.”
Alex Doty with the Ottawa County Road Commission added, “Our night crews have been in early and staying late, and day crews have been in early and will stay late. Crews will be in over the next few days to respond to the weather. We’re working to keep routes open as best as possible, and will see how things go as time progresses.
“North-south routes are getting repeated heavy attention and repeated trips because of blowing and drifint snow. Crews are applying minimal to no salt and sand due to the blowing and drifting conditions that are making the material ineffective. Instead, crews are focused on blading and scraping off of the pavement.
“Our crews hope to make one pass through the road network over the next day. However, weather conditions will dictate the speed and time in which it takes for crews to make that effort. Our team at the OCRC is keeping in touch with our surrounding counties and road agencies, targeting a similar response, and sharing road conditions.”
The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids is maintaining a Blizzard Warning for Allegan and Ottawa counties through 7 PM on Saturday. “Total snow accumulations in excess of a foot in many areas, with winds gusting as high as 50 miles an hour, and wind chills are 10 to 20 below,” the agency said in a 4 PM Friday statement. “Snow, blowing and drifting snow, and cold temperatures, with wind chills near 15 below, are all expected through Saturday, with blizzard conditions continuing.”
The storm could even linger into Sunday with lighter lake effect snow showers continuing, according to the NWS’ daily Hazardous Weather Outlook.
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